# BJ the Chicago Kid

Bryan James Sledge (born November 23, 1984), better known by his stage name BJ the Chicago Kid (or simply BJ), is an American neo soul/soul singer and songwriter. Born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, Sledge is best known for frequently collaborating with Top Dawg Entertainment recording artists Schoolboy Q, Ab-Soul, Kendrick Lamar, and Jay Rock. He has also worked with several other prominent rappers, such as Freddie Gibbs, Warren G, Nekfeu, Chance the Rapper, Big K.R.I.T., GLC, Kanye West, Anderson .Paak, and Joey Badass, among numerous others. he has a album called The Opening Ceremony he performed his song Going Once, Going Twice on Wild'n out.
Sledge's first work in the music industry was on a Dave Hollister record in 2001, titled "For You", which he co-wrote alongside Gerald Haddon. Sledge's vocals were first featured on "Impossible", a 2006 song by Chicago rapper Kanye West released in promotion for the 2006 American film Mission: Impossible III. In February 2012, he independently released his debut studio album, Pineapple Now-Laters. Sledge subsequently secured a record deal with Motown, in August 2012. The label then serviced the Pineapple Now-Laters song "Good Luv'n", as Sledge's commercial debut single.

## Life and career
### 1984–2008: Early life and career beginnings

Bryan Sledge was born to church choir directors in Chicago, Illinois. He grew up in the Brainerd neighborhood on Chicago's South Side. Sledge became inspired to pursue a music career after seeing Janet Jackson perform on tour. At the age of 19, he moved to Los Angeles, California, where he became a backup singer for American gospel duo Mary Mary. He also performed on Stevie Wonder's A Time to Love (2005). He later wrote for R&B and gospel artists such as Crystal Aikin, Shirley Caesar, Lalah Hathaway, Joe and Kindred the Family Soul. Later, he performed on Kanye West's single "Impossible," which also features Twista and Keyshia Cole.

### 2009–2011: Mixtapes

In 2009, Sledge released his debut mixtape, A Taste of Chicago, under the moniker BJ the Chicago Kid. Later that year, he followed up with The New Beginning. In 2011, he released his third mixtape, titled The Life of Love's Cupid.

### 2012–present: In My Mind and Motown record deal

In February 2012, Sledge independently released his debut studio album, titled Pineapple Now-Laters, under M.A.F.E MUSIC LLC. In August 2012, it was announced that Sledge signed a recording contract with American record company, Motown. After inking his new deal with the label, Motown Label Services began promoting the Pineapple Now-Laters track "Good Luv'n," at Urban and Rhythmic radio formats in North America and released it as a single via digital distribution.
In February 2013, Sledge released the track titled "Honey." Sledge's collaboration with American rappers Freddie Gibbs and Problem, titled "Smokin' and Ridin'", is featured on Radio Los Santos in Grand Theft Auto V, the fifth installment in the critically acclaimed video game series. In October 2013, Sledge revealed he began working on his major label debut, which was then announced to be released sometime in 2014. Later that year, in December 2013, Sledge released a Christmas-themed extended play (EP), titled A Soulful Christmas, for free online.
On April 22, 2014, West Coast rapper Schoolboy Q released "Studio", which features vocals from Sledge, as the fourth single from his album Oxymoron. "Studio" acquired Sledge Billboard chart placement and went on to chart in the Top 40 of the US Billboard Hot 100. On November 19, 2014, Sledge released his fourth mixtape, The M.A.F.E. Project. The mixtape features 12 songs and guest appearances from Freddie Gibbs, Sasha Go Hard, Schoolboy Q and Smoke DZA. On December 23, 2014, Motown Records released a song from The M.A.F.E. Project titled "It's True", which features a verse from Schoolboy Q, as a single. The single was accompanied by a music video directed by Verluxe.
On February 19, 2016, Sledge released his major label debut album, "In My Mind".
Sledge released his third studio album, 1123, on July 26, 2019.
In May 2023, it was announced that BJ The Chicago Kid had signed with the RCA Records distributed label Reach The World, which was founded by producer Yeti Beats.

## Discography
### Studio albums

List of albums, with selected chart positions :
| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions | Peak chart positions | Sales |
| Title | Album details | US | US R&B | Sales |
| Pineapple Now-Laters | Released: February 21, 2012 Label: M.A.F.E MUSIC LLC Format: Digital download | — | — | US: 8,000 |
| In My Mind | Released: February 19, 2016 Label: Motown Format: CD, digital download | 43 | 7 | |
| 1123 | Released: July 26, 2019 Label: Motown Format: CD, digital download | | | |
| "—" denotes a title that did not chart, or was not released in that territory. |||||

### Collaborative albums

List of albums, with selected chart positions :
| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions | Peak chart positions | Sales |
| Title | Album details | US | US R&B | Sales |
| Gravy (with Yeti Beats) | Released: November 10, 2023 Label: Reach The World / RCA / Sony Music Format: Digital download | — | — | |

### EPs

List of extended-play, with selected details :
| Title | Album details |
| A Soulful Christmas | Released: December 24, 2013 Format: Free download Label: Self-released |
| The Opening Ceremony | Released: May 11, 2018 Format: Digital download Label: Motown |

### Mixtapes

List of mixtapes, with selected details :
| Title | Album details |
| A Taste of Chicago | Released: June 22, 2009 Format: Free download Label: Self-released |
| The New Beginning | Released: September 8, 2009 Format: Free download Label: Self-released |
| The Life of Love's Cupid | Released: September 8, 2011 Format: Free download Label: Self-released |
| The M.A.F.E. Project | Released: November 19, 2014 Format: Free download Label: Self-released |

### Singles
#### As lead artist

List of singles as lead artist, with selected chart positions, showing year released and album name :
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Peak chart positions | Peak chart positions | Album |
| Title | Year | US | US R&B | US Adult R&B | Album |
| "Good Luv'n" | 2012 | — | — | — | Pineapple Now-Laters |
| "It's True" (featuring Schoolboy Q) | 2014 | — | — | — | The M.A.F.E. Project |
| "That Girl" (featuring OG Maco) | 2015 | — | — | — | non-album single |
| "Church" (featuring Chance the Rapper and Buddy) | 2015 | — | — | — | In My Mind |
| "The Resume" (featuring Big K.R.I.T.) | 2015 | — | — | — | In My Mind |
| "Love Inside" (featuring Isabella) | 2016 | — | — | — | In My Mind |
| "Woman's World" | 2016 | — | — | 19 | In My Mind |
| "Turnin' Me Up" | 2016 | — | — | — | In My Mind |
| "Man Down" (featuring Buddy, Constantine and PJ Morton) | 2016 | — | — | — | In My Mind |
| "The New Cupid" (featuring Kendrick Lamar) | 2016 | — | — | — | In My Mind |
| "Time Today" | 2019 | — | — | 20 | 1123 |
| "Bring It On Home To Me" ((with PJ Morton & Kenyon Dixon) featuring Charlie Bereal) | 2021 | — | — | — | non-album single |
| "Spend The Night" (with Coco Jones) | 2023 | — | — | 23 | Gravy |
| "Criminal" (with Alice Ivy and Kah-Lo) | 2024 | — | — | — | Do What Makes You Happy |
| "—" denotes a title that did not chart, or was not released in that territory. ||||||

#### As featured artist

List of singles as featured artist, with selected chart positions, showing year released and album name :
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Peak chart positions | Album |
| Title | Year | US | US R&B/HH | Album |
| "Impossible" (Kanye West featuring Twista, Keyshia Cole and BJ) | 2006 | — | 54 | Mission: Impossible III (soundtrack) |
| "In the Zone" (David Banner featuring BJ the Chicago Kid) | 2010 | — | — | non-album single |
| "Crazy Generation" (Black Collar Biz featuring BJ the Chicago Kid, Muzicgeek and Cash Gotti) | 2014 | — | — | High Grade Artistry |
| "Studio" (Schoolboy Q featuring BJ the Chicago Kid) | 2014 | 38 | 10 | Oxymoron |
| "Last Dance" (Rapper Big Pooh featuring BJ the Chicago Kid) | 2014 | — | — | non-album single |
| "Ride Out" (Koache featuring BJ the Chicago Kid) | 2016 | — | — | Game Point |
| "Cookie Addiction" (Jay IDK featuring BJ the Chicago Kid) | 2016 | — | — | non-album single |
| "Naturally" (DJ Carisma featuring BJ the Chicago Kid and Casey Veggies) | 2016 | — | — | non-album single |
| "Issues" (Gary Soulz featuring BJ the Chicago Kid) | 2016 | — | — | non-album single |
| "Cheating on Us" (Salaam Remi featuring BJ the Chicago Kid) | 2016 | — | — | non-album single |
| "Lost Wild" (Bobby Hagens featuring BJ the Chicago Kid) | 2016 | — | — | non-album single |
| "Forever Black America Again" (Common featuring Gucci Mane, Pusha T and BJ the Chicago Kid) | 2016 | — | — | non-album single |
| "Angels Your Love" (Mr Jukes featuring BJ the Chicago Kid) | 2017 | — | — | God First |
| "Real One" (Peter James featuring BJ the Chicago Kid) | 2018 | — | — | non-album single |
| "Us 4ever" (Ledisi featuring BJ the Chicago Kid) | 2018 | — | — | Let Love Rule |
| "Rouge à lèvres" (Nekfeu featuring BJ the Chicago Kid) | 2019 | — | — | Les Étoiles vagabondes : Expansion |
| "Wishing for a Hero" (Polo G featuring BJ the Chicago Kid) | 2020 | — | — | The Goat |
| "I Believe" (Joy Denalane featuring BJ the Chicago Kid) | 2020 | — | — | Let Yourself Be Loved |
| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. |||||

### Guest appearances

List of non-single guest appearances, with other performing artists, showing year released and album name :
| Title | Year | Other performer(s) | Album |
| "Welcome to the Majors" | 2008 | Dubb Union | Snoop Dogg Presents: Dubb Union |
| "Westurn Union" | 2008 | Dubb Union, Daz Dillinger | Snoop Dogg Presents: Dubb Union |
| "Struggle" | 2008 | Dubb Union | Snoop Dogg Presents: Dubb Union |
| "Miles Away" | 2008 | Dubb Union | Snoop Dogg Presents: Dubb Union |
| "Truly Yours" | 2009 | Diz Gibran | Soon You'll Understand |
| "Faith" | 2009 | Kendrick Lamar | The Kendrick Lamar EP |
| "True Star" | 2009 | Warren G | The G Files |
| "Fanatic" | 2009 | Xzibit, Poo Bear | NBA Live 10 soundtrack |
| "All Eyez on Me (The Truth)" | 2009 | Young Dre The Truth, 2Pac | NBA Live 10 soundtrack |
| "The Coldest" | 2010 | Freddie Gibbs | Str8 Killa |
| "R.O.T.C. (Interlude)" | 2010 | Kendrick Lamar | Overly Dedicated |
| "So Real" | 2010 | GLC | Love, Life & Loyalty |
| "Field Ni*#a Blues" | 2010 | Mikkey Halsted, Freddie Gibbs | The Darkroom |
| "I'm Good" | 2011 | Schoolboy Q, Punch | Setbacks |
| "Show You" | 2011 | Pac Div | Mania |
| "Almost There" | 2011 | Ab-Soul | Longterm Mentality |
| "Look Up to the Sky" | 2011 | Fly Union, P. Blackk | TGTC (The Greater Than Club) |
| "Do It for You" | 2011 | Fly Union, Pac Div | TGTC (The Greater Than Club) |
| "Barely M.A.D.E. It" | 2011 | Freddie Gibbs | Cold Day In Hell |
| "Kush & Corinthians (His Pain)" | 2011 | Kendrick Lamar | Section.80 |
| "Finest Hour" | 2011 | Jay Rock, Rick Ross | Follow Me Home |
| "Take a Look Around" | 2011 | Kindred the Family Soul, Bilal | Love Has No Recession |
| "Dreams" | 2011 | CunninLynguists | Oneirology |
| "Lust Demons" | 2012 | Ab-Soul, Jay Rock | Control System |
| "Shame" | 2012 | Freddie Gibbs, Madlib | Shame |
| "Good Good Love" | 2012 | Rapsody | The Idea of Beautiful |
| "We On (Must Be)" | 2012 | Marcus Orelias | Rebel of the Underground |
| "Love = Hate / Ulterior Motives" | 2013 | Casey Veggies | Life Changes |
| "Life Is a Gamble" | 2013 | Big K.R.I.T. | King Remembered In Time |
| "Everybody's Something" | 2013 | Chance the Rapper, Saba | Acid Rap |
| "Smokin' and Ridin'" | 2013 | Freddie Gibbs, Problem | The Music of Grand Theft Auto V |
| "Holy Holy" | 2013 | Vic Mensa, Ab-Soul | INNANETAPE |
| "Shame" | 2014 | Freddie Gibbs & Madlib | Piñata |
| "A Project Mind" | 2014 | Punch, Jay Rock | — |
| "Lionheart" | 2014 | Nefew | Rise of the Antihero |
| "Like Me" | 2015 | Joey Bada$$ | B4.Da.$$ |
| "Down for You" | 2015 | Kehlani | You Should Be Here |
| "To Be Young" | 2015 | Fashawn | The Ecology |
| "Slip Slide" | 2015 | Donnie Trumpet & The Social Experiment, B.o.B, Busta Rhymes, Janelle Monáe | Surf |
| "Windows" | 2015 | Donnie Trumpet & The Social Experiment, Raury | Surf |
| "Expressive" | 2015 | Slum Village, Illa J | Yes! |
| "Khalil's Song" | 2015 | Skeme | Ingleworld 2 |
| "Beautiful Love" | 2015 | Jill Scott | Woman |
| "It's All on Me" | 2015 | Dr. Dre, Justus | Compton |
| "Life Song" | 2015 | Casey Veggies | Live & Grow |
| "Can't Be Still" | 2015 | Big K.R.I.T. | It's Better This Way |
| "Game Over" | 2015 | Omarion | Care Package 3 |
| "In the Streets" | 2015 | Busta Rhymes, MF Doom | The Return of the Dragon (The Abstract Went On Vacation) |
| "The Waters" | 2016 | Anderson .Paak | Malibu |
| "Real One" | 2016 | Achromatik | Where Do I Belong |
| "Blessings" | 2016 | Chance the Rapper | Coloring Book |
| "Harry's Code" | 2016 | Knox Brown | Searching |
| "F.U.B.U." | 2016 | Solange, The-Dream | A Seat at the Table |
| "Until I'm Gone" | 2016 | Derek Minor | Reflection |
| "What Now" | 2016 | Chocolate Droppa, Wale, Chaz French | Kevin Hart: What Now? (The Mixtape Presents Chocolate Droppa) |
| "Way Hii" | 2016 | A$AP Rocky, Wiz Khalifa, Buddy | Cozy Tapes Vol. 1: Friends |
| "The Day The Women Took Over" | 2016 | Common | Black America Again |
| "Street Life" | 2016 | Lil Durk | They Forgot |
| "Milestone" | 2016 | Smoke DZA, Pete Rock, Jadakiss, Styles P | Don't Smoke Rock |
| "Be Great" Remix | 2016 | Kevin Ross | Long Song Away |
| "What's Going On - Duet with BJ The Chicago Kid" | 2016 | Marvin Gaye | What's Going On: 45th Anniversary Edition (10" w/Bonus Versions) |
| "Gotta Be More" | 2017 | Nick Grant | Return of the Cool |
| "Everything" | 2017 | MoBo The Great | Fuck The Public |
| "Black & Ugly" | 2017 | Rapsody | Laila's Wisdom |
| "Knock on My Door" | 2017 | Rapsody | Laila's Wisdom |
| "80s Baby" | 2017 | Cyhi the Prynce | No Dope On Sundays |
| "Skrawberries" | 2018 | JID | DiCaprio 2 |
| "Queen & Slim" | 2019 | Coast Contra | Queen & Slim |
| "Forever Your Love" | 2019 | Common | Let Love |
| "Memories of Home" | 2019 | Common and Samora Pinderhughes | Let Love |
| "go girl" | 2019 | Luke James, Ro James | to feel love/d |
| "Only Human" | 2020 | Lecrae | Restoration |
| "Hood Living" | 2020 | RILEY | RILEY |
| "Changes" | 2021 | Lute | Gold Mouf |
| "Fore Play" | 2024 | Snoop Dogg | Missionary |
| "Now or Never" | 2024 | Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre | Missionary |

## Music videos

List of music videos, with directors, showing year released :
| Title | Year | Director(s) |
| "Good Luv'n" | 2012 | Jerome D. |
| "Perfect" | 2014 | Jerome D. |
| "Real Love Never Dies" | 2014 | Jerome D. |
| "It's True" (featuring Schoolboy Q) | 2014 | Verluxe |
| "That Girl" (featuring OG Maco) | 2015 | — |
| "Church" (featuring Chance the Rapper and Buddy) | 2015 | Scott Lazes |
| "Nothin' But Love" (featuring Joey Bada$$) | 2015 | — |
| "The Resume" (featuring Big K.R.I.T.) | 2015 | Scott Lazes |
| "Love Inside" (featuring Isabella) | 2016 | — |
| "Turnin' Me Up" | 2016 | — |
| "The New Cupid" (featuring Kendrick Lamar) | 2016 | Matt Barnes |
| "Woman's World" | 2016 | — |

## Awards and nominations
### Grammy Awards

| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
| 2015 | "Studio" (with Schoolboy Q) | Best Rap/Sung Collaboration | Nominated |
| 2017 | In My Mind | Best R&B Album | Nominated |
| 2017 | "Turnin' Me Up" | Best R&B Performance | Nominated |
| 2017 | "Woman's World" | Best Traditional R&B Performance | Nominated |
| 2020 | 1123 | Best R&B Album | Nominated |
| 2020 | "Time Today" | Best Traditional R&B Performance | Nominated |
| 2022 | "Bring It On Home To Me" | Best Traditional R&B Performance | Nominated |